Growth of Tunable Laser Crystals Based on Cr4+ and Other Lasing Ions

Tunable solid-state lasers allow the user to customize the source to the application. An integral part of this light source is the laser medium. Laser crystals, based on tetravalent chromium (Cr4+) ion operate in the technologically important near infrared (1-2 μm) spectral region.

Applications:

The 1-2 μm spectral range, includes wavelengths at 1.3 and 1.5 μm, both important for optical communications, and the eye-safe wavelength range beyond 1.45 μm. Possible uses include optical communications, eye-safe ranging and remote sensing, and biomedical and scientific applications.

Benefits:

Eye-safe operation

All solid-state diode pumped configurations

Compact and reliable

Potential for femtosecond operation

The technology:

A series of Cr4+-doped crystals is being developed for the 1.2-1.7 μm region. These materials have desirable characteristics - high emission cross sections, wide tuning range, and an absence of parasitic centers. Prime candidates are silicates and germanates such as Cr4+:CaMgSiO4 and Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 (Cunyite).

Large laser-quality crystals of highly-doped Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 have been grown by a top-seeded solution growth method, which is a combination of vertical pull (Czochralski) and solution (flux) growth techniques. These crystals were used in the first successful tunable laser operation of the Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 laser crystal.